Bike Reviews

Chamois are wonderful things, but if you’re riding primarily to get somewhere, you don’t always want to let the world know you’re wearing one. Enter Kor’s Ünterwear, one of the newest additions to the women’s cycling brief market. The New York City company, launched late last year, makes casual tops and bottoms—in basic black or white—for spin classes or urban rides, and counts English singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding among its devotees.

The NYC-made Ünterwear fits under pants, skirts, or dresses and comes in two chamois thicknesses. I tested the long distance pad, which provides more cushion than most triathlon bottoms, but less than a typical pair of road cycling shorts. I’m still a fan of traditional spandex for hours-long rides, but was able to comfortably complete an 11-mile spin in the briefs, with my chamois area no worse for wear. While not bulky, I wouldn’t say the chamois disappears off the bike, however. While the long-distance version didn’t bother me during short snack stops, I’d opt for the thinner pad for rides that involve lots of off-bike time.

One sartorial tip: The briefs won’t protect your inner thighs, so to prevent saddle chafing, don’t pair Ünterwear with a miniskirt. It’s best for skirts or dresses that are long enough to sit on while pedaling, or paired with pants.—Emily Furia